TikiDan

Hi Ben! I would like to become a beta tester for the Atari 2600+ firmware update. Thanks! Dan Kitchen dan@dankitchen.com

This was simply an oversight. Atariboy2600 should have received his complimentary copy long ago. I'll make sure he receives it.

Hi John (Atariboy2600)! You should have received a copy of the game long ago. I had one allocated for you. Please PM me and I'll make sure you get it.

Hi everyone! I hope all of you are staying safe and healthy these days. That "survival kit" pouch was distributed to all Activision employees attending the Pitfall release party at the June 1982 CES in Chicago. The party was named the Activision "Rumble in the Jungle" and was held in the grand ballroom and multiple additional ballrooms of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. I can't begin to describe how big that party was. We had three bands playing simultaneously, dozens of party-style midway games scattered around, multiple open bars, LIVE animals in cages hanging from the ceiling and hundreds upon hundreds of attendees. Every Activision's CES party were THE event to attend if you could get in. As I recall, the pouch contained: - our badge to get into the party - an Instamatic camera - coupons for the Midway Games It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event!

Hi sramirez2008! It was our pleasure!

Hi Stargunner! I definitely wanted the package to capture the look of the original Activision games. The game packaging, artwork, patch, etc will be the same quality as the original games. No blue & white labels here!

Thanks Quadrunner!

Thank you Psionic, Sramirez2008, Supergun and 4ever2600!

Greetings everyone! Here's a comp of the package artwork for GOLD RUSH™. Please let me know what you think!

Hi Dragonstomper! I just might be able to do that!

My pleasure! I love creating games for the 2600!

Hi Stargunner! Thank you so much for your kind words. I've always said the difference between a good game and a great game is attention to detail. And just like you stated, most players won't know why they feel one game is better then another. But if you analyze it behind the scenes, you'll always find a dedicated game programmer, artist or designer who took the time to polish each part of the game they touched.

Hi Quadrunner! You'll have to wait and see!

Hi River Patroller, GOLD RUSH™ has been written entirely from scratch because I don't want to infringe upon any rights Activision has to the original code. The original prototype code can be viewed once the original prototype .BIN is released.

Hey Stargunner, The reason I haven't put the games up on Kickstarter yet is simply due to juggling my time to complete the game vs. meeting the responsibilities to my interactive industry clients. I'll be posting an update on my blog shortly.

Hi Stargunner! I have no problem releasing the code. I donated the cartridge to the National Video Game Museum because of their passion to preserve video game history.

Hi Fallen Moderator! I will release the original prototype when GOLD RUSH™ is released.

Hi River Patroller! Please be sure to see me at PRGE. I'll be on the 12:00pm Activision panel on Sunday with my brother Garry and Dave Crane.

Hey Epic Godlike Canadian! I'm choose not to work with Al because I want to create a company that captures the essence of Activision in the early 1980's with the kind of games, patches, merch, etc. that was done when I was at Activision.

The only game that was ever truly finished from the BDC (Boston Design Center) was Kabobber by Rex Bradford.

Hi lawdawg710! Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm honored to be a part of the Atari Age Forum. Dan Kitchen

Hi Moonsweeper! Thank you so much for your input. Yes, I plan to have a limited edition of signed games with a color manual, box and poster. We'll also be adding a complete set of the Collectible Trading Cards for the game. You can view the first card and subscribe to my mailing list at https://www.dankitchengames.com. The game will have almost 75 enemies and obstacles which will be highlighted on these Trading Cards. The game is now called DAN KITCHEN'S GOLD RUSH!™. In my upcoming newsletter I'll be releasing images of the train cars and obstacles. Thank's again for your kind words! Dan K.

Hi Inky and Supergun! Thanks for writing! I've never used the DPC or any other chip for the Atari 2600. All my games, including Keystone II and the new version of it that I'm now finishing up (renamed GOLD RUSH!™) are written in pure 6502 with no additional RAM or hardware support. Dave created the DPC chip because he wanted to create a stunning version of Pitfall 2. Adding the DPC to a cartridge would greatly increase the manufacturing cost, so by the time Pitfall 2 had been released and the market crash had occurred, it was more imperative then ever to make games in the smallest and cheapest configuration. It was purely a management cost decision, Dave had nothing to do with it. As far as I know the DPC was never used after Pitfall 2. As an aside, many people call the DPC the "Display Processor Chip". The truth is it was named by Dave for his full name "David Patrick Crane". Please check out the latest on my development of GOLD RUSH!™ at my new Retro Game Site: www.dankitchengames.com Thanks again for all your questions! Keep 'em coming! Dan Kitchen

Hi everyone! I want to thank all of you for your supportive comments and suggestions on my Kickstarter question. I'll keep everyone updated on my Kickstarter plans and Keystone II's progress.

Once again, I wanted to thank everyone for your accolades, support and comments. I actually have a question for all of you that I would love your opinion on: I'm thinking of starting a Kickstarter campaign for Keystone II (and potentially my other 2600 games to follow) to pre-sell the game and raise the funds for the game's manufacturing. I'm thinking about offering different pledge rewards that include: - Receiving only the cartridge - Receiving the cartridge with a box and full color manual - Receiving a limited edition signed copy of the cartridge - Receiving a full size poster with the boxed game - Participating with me in the design of the game by designing an enemy character that I'll program into the game - Securing an invitation to the game's launch event (date & location TBD) As retro game players, collectors, historians and experts, I'd love to know what you think about a Keystone II Kickstarter Campaign. Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback! Dan K.